The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) is accelerating its digital transformation strategy by expanding social media monetisation, modernising broadcast infrastructure and diversifying revenue sources across its North-East stations as traditional advertising income comes under increasing pressure.
The FRCN zonal director for the North-East, Alhaji Darihu Garba Mohammed, disclosed the strategy during a working visit to Gift FM, Jalingo, saying the corporation is repositioning its operations to meet the evolving demands of the digital media landscape.
According to him, FRCN is embracing convergence journalism by integrating conventional radio broadcasting with online news, video content and social media engagement to reach audiences across multiple digital platforms.
Mohammed said most FRCN stations in the North-East have already achieved Facebook monetisation, while Gift FM is receiving support to attain the same status in the near future.
He noted that the corporation is encouraging all stations to grow their online audiences, produce multimedia content and leverage digital platforms to create additional revenue streams.
“Advertising revenue alone is no longer sufficient to sustain broadcasting operations. We must take advantage of opportunities provided by digital platforms to diversify our revenue sources,” he said.
Highlighting the growing importance of FRCN’s digital platforms, Mohammed disclosed that the corporation’s social media channels across the North-East recorded more than two million visits within three days, describing the traffic as evidence of rising demand for digital news and broadcast content.
He said the corporation’s convergence journalism model enables it to combine radio broadcasting with online publishing, video production and real-time social media engagement to better serve audiences.
The zonal director also outlined ongoing investments in broadcast infrastructure, describing them as part of a nationwide modernisation programme initiated by the Director-General of FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama.
According to him, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has provided solar power systems to six of the seven FRCN stations in the region, significantly reducing dependence on grid electricity and diesel-powered generators.
Mohammed added that the stations have also been equipped with new transmitters, broadcast consoles and other modern broadcasting equipment, while staff continue to undergo regular capacity-building programmes to improve operational efficiency and programme quality.
He urged FRCN personnel to maximise the use of the upgraded facilities, stressing that the investments should translate into improved content quality and more professional broadcasting.
Mohammed also assured listeners in Taraba State of the corporation’s commitment to delivering quality programming, credible information and efficient public service broadcasting across the North-East.
Earlier, the General Manager of Gift FM, Jalingo, Mr. Emmanuel Jim-Elisha, described the intervention as a significant boost to the station’s operations.
He expressed confidence that the newly installed equipment would improve transmission quality and expand the station’s broadcast coverage within and beyond Taraba State.
Jim-Elisha thanked the FRCN management under the leadership of Dr. Mohammed Bulama and the North East Development Commission for their support, assuring listeners of enhanced service delivery and stronger transmission in the coming months.
